"Mahdi" to reveal himself after an apocalyptic holocaust on Earth*

At U.N., Ahmadinejad makes illusion to return of messianic Islamic 'madhi'

Posted: September 21, 2006

WASHINGTON – While most of the reporting and analysis of Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech at the U.N. focused on what he
had to say about the West and specifically the U.S., his chilling
closing remarks were lost on most listeners – and apparently all reporters.

The last two paragraphs of his remarks revealed his steadfast and
driving conviction, that a messianic figure, known as the "Mahdi" to
Muslims, is poised to reveal himself after an apocalyptic holocaust on
Earth that leaves most of the world's population dead.

"I emphatically declare that today's world, more than ever before, longs
for just and righteous people with love for all humanity; and above all
longs for the perfect righteous human being and the real savior who has
been promised to all peoples and who will establish justice, peace and
brotherhood on the planet," Ahmadinejad said. "Oh, Almighty God, all men
and women are your creatures and you have ordained their guidance and
salvation. Bestow upon humanity that thirsts for justice, the perfect
human being promised to all by you, and make us among his followers and
among those who strive for his return and his cause."

With Iran on the verge of producing nuclear weapons and already in
possession of sophisticated medium-range missiles, mystical
pre-occupation with the coming of a Shiite Islamic messiah is of
particular concern because of Iran's potential for triggering the kind
of global conflagration Ahmadinejad envisions will set the stage for the
end of the world.

Ahmadinejad is on record as stating he believes he is to have a personal
role in ushering in the age of the Mahdi. In a Nov. 16, 2005, speech in
Tehran, he said he sees his main mission in life as to "pave the path
for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his
reappearance."

According to Shiites, the 12th imam disappeared as a child in the year
941. When he returns, they believe, he will reign on earth for seven
years, before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world.

Ahmadinejad is urging Iranians to prepare for the coming of the Mahdi by
turning the country into a mighty and advanced Islamic society and by
avoiding the corruption and excesses of the West.

All Iran is buzzing about the Mahdi, the 12th imam and the role Iran and
Ahmadinejad are playing in his anticipated return. There's a new messiah
hotline. There are news agencies especially devoted to the latest
developments.

"People are anxious to know when and how will he rise; what they must do
to receive this worldwide salvation," says Ali Lari, a cleric at the
Bright Future Institute in Iran's religious center of Qom. "The timing
is not clear, but the conditions are more specific," he adds. "There is
a saying: 'When the students are ready, the teacher will come.'"

Ahmadinejad and others in Iran are deadly serious about the imminent
return of the 12th imam, who will prompt a global battle between good
and evil (with striking parallels to biblical accounts of "Armageddon").
Some interpretations of the events that precede his coming include a war
that wipes out most of the world's population.

In Iran, an institute set up in 2004 for the study and dissemination of
information about the Mahdi had a staff of 160 and influence in the
schools and children's magazines earlier this year. Theologians there
say end-times beliefs appeal to one-fifth of the population. And the
Jamkaran mosque east of Qom, 60 miles south of Tehran, is where the link
between devotees and the Mahdi is closest.

As of last year, Ahmadinejad's cabinet had given $17 million to Jamkaran.

Shiite writings describe events surrounding the return of the Mahdi in
apocalyptic terms. In one scenario, the forces of evil would come from
Syria and Iraq and clash with forces of good from Iran. The battle would
commence at Kufa – the Iraqi town near the holy city of Najaf.

Even more controversial is Ahmadinejad's repeated invocation of Imam
Mahdi, known as "the Savior of Times." According to Shiite tradition,
Imam Mahdi will appear on Judgment Day to herald a truly just government.

Ahmadinejad made reference to the Mahdi in his first speech to the U.N.,
too. He called on the "mighty Lord" to hasten the emergence of "the
promised one," the one who "will fill this world with justice and peace."

Who stands in the Mahdi's way?

A top priority of Ahmadinejad is "to challenge America, which is trying
to impose itself as the final salvation of the human being, and insert
its unjust state [in the region]," says Hamidreza Taraghi, head of the
conservative Islamic Coalition Society.

Taraghi says the U.S. is "trying to place itself as the new Mahdi." This
may mean no peace with Iran, he adds, "unless America changes its
hegemonic ... thinking, doesn't use nuclear weapons, [or] impose its
will on other nations."

After Ahmadinejad last spoke to the United Nations, in September 2005,
he told Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli in Tehran, in a videotaped discussion,
about a strange, paranormal experience he had while speaking.

He recounted how he found himself bathed in light throughout the speech.
But this wasn't the light directed at the podium by the U.N. and
television cameras. It was, he said, a light from heaven.

According to a transcript of his comments, obtained last year,
Ahmadinejad wasn't the only one who noticed the unearthly light. One of
his aides brought it to his attention.

The Iranian president recalled being told about it by one of his
delegation: "When you began with the words 'in the name of Allah,' I saw
a light coming, surrounding you and protecting you to the end."

Ahmadinejad agreed that he sensed the same thing.

"On the last day when I was speaking, one of our group told me that when
I started to say 'Bismillah Muhammad,' he saw a green light come from
around me, and I was placed inside this aura," he says. "I felt it
myself. I felt that the atmosphere suddenly changed, and for those 27 or
28 minutes, all the leaders of the world did not blink. When I say they
didn't move an eyelid, I'm not exaggerating. They were looking as if a
hand was holding them there, and had just opened their eyes –
Alhamdulillah!"